According to the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, labor productivity rose 1.7 percent in 2019, up from 1.3 percent growth in both 2017 and 2018, and was its best growth rate since the 3.4 percent increase in 2010. Labor costs rose 2 percent for the year, up from 1.8 percent in 2018. The 1.7 percent increase in productivity follows a stretch of weak average annual gains of 1.3 percent that goes back to 2007. In a separate report, the Department of Labor said that the filing of new claims for unemployment benefits fell to 202,000, its lowest level in 8 months. Source: "U.S. Productivity Up 1.7% in 2019, Best gain in 9 Years," Associated Press, February 6, 2020. Refer to the Article Summary. In 2019, labor productivity in the United States rose at its fastest annual rate in 9 years. Labor productivity growth is important for an economy because an increase in labor productivity Group of answer choices will increase the labor force participation rate. allows the average consumer to increase consumption. will create short-run, but not long-run, economic growth. will increase output and decrease wages in the long run